Ben Stokes has showered praise on Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley for their remarkable opening partnership of 188 runs, which provided the bedrock for England's successful pursuit of a 371-run target against India at Headingley. While Duckett's magnificent 149 grabbed the headlines, Stokes emphasized that Crawley's contribution of 65 was equally crucial in establishing a dynamic and cohesive presence at the top of the order.
"When chasing 370, a strong start is paramount. Minimizing early wickets is obviously vital, but the manner in which he [Duckett] and Zak approached it, dominating the game from the outset, was immensely important," Stokes commented.
He further elaborated on the synergy between the two batsmen: "Zak's innings was also immense. They complement each other exceptionally well. The left-hand, right-hand combination, one tall, one not, makes it incredibly difficult for bowlers to settle. Establishing any rhythm becomes a challenge. I am certain the opposition would attest to the nightmare it can be when they are both set for an extended period. While Ducky scored 149, that 65 was equally significant. He managed the situation adeptly, recognizing Ducky's dominance and effectively applying pressure. Their opening partnership has been consistently excellent over the past few years."
Duckett's dominance over Ravindra Jadeja on the final day was particularly noteworthy, especially his audacious use of the reverse sweep against the rough. Stokes hailed him as one of the world's premier players of spin, specifically highlighting his proficiency with that particular shot. "I spoke with him during the tea or rain break," Stokes revealed. "He is among the best in the world at executing reverse sweeps and a truly exceptional player of spin, especially on challenging surfaces."
Stokes even sought advice from Duckett mid-innings, aiming to refine his own strategies against spin. "I simply had a brief discussion with him regarding potential adjustments to improve my chances. When you are out there, you feel compelled to either move forward or retreat, attempting to manipulate the leg side."
"Adopting a clear strategy and employing reverse sweeps was my approach. Yes, the conditions were difficult, but maintaining clarity and confidence in my intended actions to unsettle the close-in fielders was crucial."
This victory marked the sixth occasion under the leadership of Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum where England successfully chased a target of 250 or more in the fourth innings. Stokes attributes their success to a simple and relaxed approach.
"I believe we, Baz and I, share a very straightforward mindset when it comes to cricket. Ultimately, it is about scoring one more run than the opposition. We strive to maintain simplicity and composure as much as possible," Stokes explained.
"The atmosphere in the dressing room during such chases is paramount. The players have specific roles to fulfill, and maintaining a calm, relaxed environment is essential to fostering the right mindset when facing pressure in the middle.
"The equation was straightforward: bat out the remaining overs and victory would be ours, given the ground's reputation for quick scoring. The scoring rate has consistently exceeded four runs per over, with the exception of Rishabh Pant. It's simply a very conducive ground for rapid scoring."
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